It List 2019: Our Editors’ Picks of the Best New Hotels in the World

Every year, Travel + Leisure's editors reach out to our network of hospitality professionals, trusted writers, and hotel addicts in search of the finest new (and newly reimagined) properties around the globe. We then log tens of thousands of miles, checking in to dozens of them, from far-flung islands to mountain lodges (and this year, for our 14th annual It List, more than one renovated church).

The resulting list is a collection of the best new hotels in the world. We’ve registered major openings and long-awaited renovations, of course — but we’ve also tracked down the under-the-radar stunners that we know you’ll love.

Sure, this year sees its fair share of reborn grand dames, but not just in the well-trod cities of Western Europe. In addition to Lutetia, the Parisian icon that stars on the cover of our March 2019 Hotels Issue, we find old standbys like the Raffles Europejski Warsaw, once the haunt of Poland’s literati; the Oberoi, New Delhi, perennial favorite of the city’s society set; and Belmond Cap Juluca, the finest property in Anguilla, which has returned to its pre-hurricane glory.

But there are also young guns disrupting our notion of what a hotel ought to be, like Freehand New York, the hostel-like hangout livening up Manhattan, or L'Arlatan, in Arles, France, whose high-style interiors feature museum-worthy art pieces. There are resorts and camps that are as serious about luxury as they are about protecting their natural environments, including Shinta Mani Wild, a private nature sanctuary in southern Cambodia, and Mombo Camp, in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, which runs entirely on solar power. And there are properties that open up places where we’ve never dreamed of spending the night, like the Retreat at Blue Lagoon on Iceland’s most famous thermal pool, Denali National Park’s uber-remote Sheldon Chalet, or eastern India’s Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Andamans, which feels like a paradise at the literal ends of the earth.

Of course, that’s just a sampling. Read on to discover all 74 properties on the 2019 It List of the best new hotels in the world. Find your next vacation in the slideshow ahead, then share your favorites with us on social media using #TLItList.

1
of
75

Mombo Camp — Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana

Courtesy of Mombo Camp

Botswana is home to about a third of the world’s African elephants — and dozens of them, along with zebras and Cape buffalo, graze at the doorstep of Mombo Camp, a just-rebuilt lodge in the heart of the Okavango Delta. This tableau vivant is a fitting backdrop for Wilderness Safaris’ most exclusive property, established in the 1980s, which sits on a plum 96,000-acre concession in the Moremi Game Reserve. With just nine villas, the new camp maintains the ambience beloved by Mombo regulars, but also feels of-the-moment with its near-perfect marriage of style, luxury, and sustainability. The camp now runs entirely on solar power, and Wilderness employs a team of conservation scientists and rhino-monitoring officers. Enjoy a pink gin and tonic in the lounge, a placid sanctum of flaxen fabric and blond wood, or walk the undulating boardwalk—at times pitched high enough for elephants to pass under; at others low enough for them to cross over—that curves past the spa to Little Mombo, the camp’s smaller cousin. After lunch, it can be tempting to drink in the vistas from your private plunge pool, but don’t miss teatime. It’s a high art here, with chilled rooibos and lemon cakes that provide fuel for late-afternoon game drives. From $1,990 per person, all-inclusive. — Marcia DeSanctis

Advertisement

Advertisement

2
of
75

Hoanib Valley Camp — Kaokoland, Namibia

Emma Hardy

The remote Kaokoland region of Namibia is one of the world’s last great wildernesses — and Hoanib Valley Camp is its elegant new gateway. The desert outpost has just six huge guest tents, each built on a raised platform backed by a bank of protective granite mountains and with unobstructed views across the vast floodplain of the Hoanib River valley. Stylish and uncluttered, the solar-powered tents have wide verandahs and are fitted with Namibian carvings and furniture, beautiful baskets, and beaded pillows sewn by local women. The camp is anchored by a central dining room fronted by a fire pit, which is lit each evening when everyone gathers to swap notes about their adventures tracking desert-adapted rhino, lion, elephant, or giraffe. As a joint venture with local communities and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, guests get both unparalleled access to expert wildlife researchers and a unique insight into the extraordinary lives of the Herero and Himba people who live in this harsh but startlingly beautiful landscape. Doubles from $1,275, including meals, drinks and activities.— Peter Browne

3
of
75

Omaanda Lodge — Windhoek, Namibia

Courtesy of Zannier Hotels

Most visitors to Namibia spend a night or two in Windhoek — and glamorous Omaanda lodge has set a new standard for all the other hotels in the capital to follow. Designed as an upscale version of a traditional African village, the lodge has ten bedrooms set in circular huts made from clay and thatch; inside, there are beds dressed in the finest French linen, double-aspect fireplaces, vast polished-concrete floors, and deep soaking tubs with views across the surrounding 22,000-acre private wildlife reserve. The French owner, Arnaud Zannier, bought the property on the advice of Angelina Jolie, whose friends Marlice and Rudie van Vurren live on the adjoining N/a’an ku se wildlife sanctuary and the neighbors have joined forces under a conservation banner. Although it's just 40 minutes’ drive from Windhoek’s international airport, the lodge really does feel like a remote bush retreat — albeit one with a spa, a heated infinity pool, excellent restaurant, and refined interiors in shades of ochre and grey. Doubles from $800 including meals, drinks, and activities. — Peter Browne

Advertisement

4
of
75

Nyungwe House — Rwanda

Courtesy of One&Only

Everyone will tell you to track gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. But what they won’t tell you — probably because they don’t know — is that the less-touristed Nyungwe National Park is just as compelling. And now, with the opening of One&Only Nyungwe House, the forest has a hotel to match its impressive wildlife. Located on Rwanda’s southwestern border, Nyungwe forest is 247,000 acres of wild woodland, home to 300 species of birds and 13 primates, including chimpanzees which can be tracked on foot. At Nyungwe House, guests have a sliver of luxury on the edge of one of central Africa’s oldest rainforests. Set on a working tea plantation, the 22 treehouse-style rooms have textured wallpaper and dark four-poster beds, with elevated wooden decks over-looking the trees where colobus and mountain monkeys swing. The main area is entirely safari-chic with printed rugs, gleaming stone floors, and giant stone fireplaces that warm even the dampest of days. In the dining area, which over-looks the tea trees and hazy forest, chef Treasure creates a daily menu of fresh veggies and herbs from the garden and beyond. With one of the earth’s last expanses of mountain rainforest at its footsteps, One&Only Nyungwe House offers a rarified glimpse at the natural world. Doubles from $1,654, all-inclusive. — Mary Holland

5
of
75

Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island

Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Desroches, a sliver of coral in the Indian Ocean, is part of the Seychelles’ little-visited Amirantes Group — and the 933-acre island, just a 35-minute flight from the capital of Mahé, is home to only one hotel. The Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island, which opened last March, comprises 71 individual accommodations ranging from cozy open-plan bungalows and spacious multi-room suites to group-friendly residences with up to seven bedrooms. An upscale beach-house vibe reigns, with amenities like outdoor showers and lounges, plunge pools, and, in some suites, hammocks and thatched-roof palapas. When you do feel like leaving your room, the public areas — a swimming pool, bars and restaurants (including one as the base of a lighthouse), and a seaside spa — rarely feel crowded. Each guest gets a personal bicycle, perfect for pedaling along forested pathways to the secluded private beach, picnic basket in tow. In true Four Seasons fashion, the excursions are a main attraction: head out for snorkeling or diving in the nearby reefs; do yoga under the stars on the runway of the island’s tiny airport; visit the island’s local villages and cheer on the teams at the weekly cricket matches; or help feed Aldabra giant tortoises at a dedicated sanctuary and breeding center. Doubles from $1,435. — Sandra Ramani

6
of
75

Zuri Zanzibar — Tanzania

Courtesy of Design Hotels

Last summer, Tanzania's first Design Hotel, Zuri Zanzibar, debuted on the northwestern tip of Zanzibar's main island, Unguja. Designed by London- and Prague-based architecture firm Jestico + Whiles, the 55 thatched-roof bungalows have warm, earthy décor and private terraces. The garden-like setting — the product of two years of meticulous plant selection and landscaping efforts — gives each villa a sense of seclusion, but despite the lush vegetation, most still have views of the sea through the jungle. If you need a break from the private white-sand beach (though with snorkeling, scuba diving, and sunset sails in traditional dhows, why would you?), there’s an ocean-view infinity pool and the Spice Garden, a mini-park with shaded footpaths, lounge areas, and an outdoor kitchen for cooking classes.Bungalows from $345. — Mary Holland

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

7
of
75

Shinta Mani Wild — Kirirom National Park, Cambodia

Christopher Wise

Fantasist architect and eco-evangelist Bill Bensley launched his latest venture via utter contrivance: he posed as a logger to win a 99-year concession on a swathe of virgin rainforest in southern Cambodia. Rather than cut down the trees, he built around them to create a grown-up adventure-land that’s the most ambitious, conservation-focused, luxury wilderness retreat in the region to date. Shinta Mani Wild is Bensley’s own jungle book: 15 stilted, secluded, air-conditioned but old-world tents whose cloud beds overlook a river, each with a vast porch and an outdoor tub from which guests can hear the occasional gibbon hoot. The all-inclusive room rate covers multi-course meals, unlimited spa treatments, and activities from fly-fishing with the GM to orchid-hunting with the naturalist. You’ll also have the undivided attentions of a charming butler whose services include both the relatively pedestrian tasks (pouring champagne during a sail on resort’s quirky custom riverboats) and the more herculean endeavors, say, dragging your kayak over muddy embankments when it’s low tide in the nearby gully. The dramatic entrance involves taking two ziplines over a waterfall and landing in the bar to your favorite beverage. Drink it all in; the booze and the views are included, too. Doubles from $1,900, all-inclusive. — Jeninne Lee-St. John

8
of
75

Amanyangyun — Shanghai

Courtesy of Aman Resorts

One of the first things to strike you at Amanyangyun are the trees. No fewer than 1,000 primeval camphor trees grow around the new Shanghai property, which attempts to recreate a Ming-era village. They were transported from an actual village submerged by a reservoir project in Jingxia province by billionaire entrepreneur Ma Dadong, who brought them from his home province of Fuzhou, over 400 miles away. This thousand-year year-old camphor forest now encloses the sleek modernist lines of the Amanyangun, which mixes ancient and modern in curious ways. Next to the contemporary villas set among long open-air walkways and ponds, stand magnificent ancient houses which were also transported from the submerged village. They were disassembled brick by brick and rebuilt on the Aman site, complete with elaborately carved interior beams and delicate tiles. They gave been refurbished to resemble the studies of Confucian scholars, complete with ink stones, quills and antique furniture – a serene illusion of the past set amid Aman’s 21st century facilities. Doubles from $743. — Lawrence Osborne

9
of
75

The Murray — Hong Kong

Courtesy of The Murray

When it was completed, 50 years ago, the 26-story Murray Building towered proudly over Hong Kong, offering unimpeded views across the harbor to the British government employees who toiled within. Today, amid the cluster of scintillating, LED-festooned high-rises that have shot above it since, it stands out for its relative humility. At least on the outside. After a thorough renovation that re-envisioned virtually everything within its landmarked white shell, the building reopened last year as a luxury hotel called the Murray, with polished, minimalist interiors by Sir Norman Foster. The Pritzker Prize-winning architect has made the most of the Murray’s most distinctive features — including its grandly arcaded car ramp and its gridwork of eccentrically slanted windows — while bringing a contemporary sleekness to the hotel’s four restaurants and 336 rooms. To top it off, he created a panoramic rooftop space (a rarity in Hong Kong) that serves as the site of the Murray’s bar, Popinjays — and just happens to brilliantly showcase a view of the HSBC mothership, Foster’s very first contribution to the city’s skyline. Doubles from $420. — Julian Sancton

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

10
of
75

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Andamans — India

Sean Fennessy

Most island hotels boast about their seclusion, but the Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Andamans, set on Havelock Island in India’s far-flung Andaman Islands, doesn’t need to bother. The journey to this 54-suite hotel on a remote archipelago usually includes an international flight, a domestic flight, and a ferry ride, but the trek pays off when you arrive. Concealed in the rain forest on the edge of Rhadanagar Beach, Taj Exotica was built to accommodate its surroundings, with endemic plants and 30 acres of untouched mangrove forest punctuating the 46-acre site, as well as an organic garden that supplies the property’s three restaurants. The eco-friendly villas are constructed from palmilla and coconut wood and raised on stilts — a nod to the traditional homes of the Andamans’ indigenous people. The ocean is mere steps away for easy access to kayaking, scuba diving, and snorkeling, and though you can’t see the beach from your suite, you can hear the rolling of the waves from almost every corner of the resort.Doubles from $461. — Mary Holland

11
of
75

The Oberoi — New Delhi

Courtesy of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts

The team behind the storied Oberoi, New Delhi apparently aren’t familiar with the saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” When the property — a playground of the city’s upper crust for half a century — shuttered its doors for a hefty two-year renovation, regulars were miffed. What would they do without Threesixty, the famous restaurant that Indian media has nicknamed “the drawing room of Delhi”? Where would tycoons retreat to discreetly plot out deals? How would gossip columnists mine fodder for society pages? Closing a landmark for a lengthy revamp was a gamble. Fortunately, in the hands of designer Adam Tihany — whose other high-profile hotel projects include the Beverly Hills Hotel and Casa Manni in Rome — the grande dame emerged last January refreshed and re-energized. Tihany nipped and tucked with precision, dropping the room number from 283 to 220 to expand blueprints while keeping the soul of the original property alive. The design team replaced bulky furniture with airy, modern pieces; upgraded interiors with high-tech trappings (including an iPad that you can use to answer the door); and drew artful lines between public and private spaces, adding touches like a bejewelled art installation from New Delhi design studio Kaaru that doubles as a screen in the lobby. And six restaurants, from the second coming of Threesixty to glam new rooftop bar Cirrus 9, help the Oberoi maintain its reputation as the perennial rendezvous point of Delhi society. Doubles from $385. — Sarah Khan

12
of
75

Capella Ubud — Bali, Indonesia

Courtesy of Capella Ubud

Hotel designer Bill Bensley has dreamed up some of Southeast Asia’s most glamorous resorts, but his favorite travel memories are those of childhood camping trips. That love of nature, along with Bensley’s obsession with old-world style, informed his vision for Capella Ubud, the first Balinese property from the Singapore-based Capella Hotel Group. The result is 23 of the most lavish and fantastical tents ever conceived, complete with copper tubs, saltwater pools, and suspension bridges. Each has a theme — the Librarian’s Tent, the Cartographer’s Tent — and is outfitted with rich textiles and antiques from the owner’s collection. The scenery is immersive: Bensley didn’t cut down a single tree on the resort’s 10 acres of rain forest and rice terraces. And then there’s Ubud, Bali’s cultural center, which is a mere 20-minute drive away — that is, if you can bear to leave the Capella’s little piece of paradise. Doubles from $838. — Gisela Williams

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

13
of
75

Rosewood Luang Prabang — Laos

Courtesy of Rosewood

Designed as a reincarnation of the original villa of the explorer and diplomat Auguste Pavie, who lived here from 1886 until 1904, this glamorous tented resort evokes the romance of a bygone era. The atmosphere is intimate and slightly secluded, thanks to the property’s serene mountainside location, and the whimsical vision of American architect Bill Bensley, who modeled the property after a Laotian hill station from the early 20th-century. A colonial-style main house gives way to a series of wooden suspension bridges that run past torch ginger flowers and frangipani until they reach six safari-style tents. In most rooms there are both tribal artifacts and photographs of the early French explorers, along with lacquered chairs and escritoires with antique telephones. You cannot see the old city from your room, nor the river that curls through it, but you do feel immersed in the Lao forest and its village life. From the wide terrace of my suite, I was treated to above-the-treetop views of emerald-green mountains receding to the horizon. Doubles from $532. — Lawrence Osborne

14
of
75

Six Senses Duxton — Singapore

Courtesy Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas

In a city of hypermodern hotels, Six Senses Duxton is a study in updated nostalgia — a natural fit for Duxton Hill, where steely towers loom over colorful Chinatown shop-houses. Designed by London hotelier (and 1960s Bond girl) Anouska Hempel, the first urban hotel from the wellness-focused brand occupies a row of historic trading houses, their original façades and intimate feel still intact. The striking lobby is decorated with elements that echo Singapore’s unique heritage: Chinese screens and calligraphy-patterned wallpaper, Portuguese shutters, Malay woodwork. An on-staff doctor offers traditional Chinese medicine consultations, and the mini-bars in each of the 49 guest rooms are stocked with a variety of botanical tinctures. (The “sleep” concoction of marigold, lavender, and snow chrysanthemum is as delicious as it is soothing.) The hotel feels like an oasis, but the surrounding neighborhood, Tanjong Pagar, is one of the city’s liveliest. Doubles from $288. — Carey Jones

15
of
75

Waldorf Astoria — Bangkok

Courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Bangkok

The blocks around the new Waldorf Astoria Bangkok, which opened late last year on Ratchadamri Boulevard near the Ratchaprasong intersection, heave with street-corner shrines to ancient deities and shopping malls of almost extraterrestrial novelty. That’s the thrill of Bangkok, and the Waldorf’s 171 placid, polished rooms put you right in it — while also raising you above the thrum. The hotel’s 14th-floor lobby bar, Peacock Alley, provides NetJet views of the Royal Bangkok Sports Club’s primped golf course and racetrack across the street. (The cocktails are glamorous, too.) The handsomely furnished Euro-Asian interiors hide up-to-date functionality — wired everything and remote control via a bedside tablet — with traditional touch-point materials like leather, linen, buffed oak, and cast bronze. Downstairs in The Front Room restaurant, chef Fae Rungthiwa Chummongkhon’s intricate “Thai-Nordic” tasting menus reference both her upbringing and her professional training abroad — and handily show how an ambitious Bangkok chef shoots for the (Michelin) stars. Doubles from $272. — Kevin West

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

16
of
75

Anantara Quy Nhon Villas — Vietnam

Courtesy of Anantara Quy Nhon Villas

From the moment you step into the open-air lobby and gaze over the infinity pool to the ocean and an ever-present flotilla of brightly painted squid-fishing boats, the new Anantara Quy Nhon Villas vollies one constant charm offensive after the other. Located on a relatively untouristed stretch of Vietnamese coastline, between Da Nang in the north and Nha Trang in the south, this secluded resort comprises 26 spacious, butler-serviced villas. Each has floor-to-ceiling windows in every room to take in views over the private beach, plus a pool, sun deck, outdoor rain shower, and wine fridge (which includes a “deli” jammed with charcuterie, cheese, and ice cream). The overarching philosophy here is a gentle style of wellness grounded in Ayurveda, brought to life through the dining and spa menus, daily complimentary yoga and meditation classes, and a variety of formal wellness programs available for those in search of structure. Food offerings are heavy on local seafood, Vietnamese staples such as pho and banh mi, as well as virtuous options (chia bowls and egg white omelets are de rigueur). Or, you can indulge a little with one of the experiences from Anantara’s signature Dining by Design program: a castaway breakfast on a deserted island, say, or your own personal chef to grill lobster on the deck of your bungalow. Doubles from $535. — Melanie Hansche

17
of
75

Belmond Cap Juluca — Maundays Bay, Anguilla

Richard James Taylor/Courtesy of Belmond

Cap Juluca was always considered the place to see and be seen in the Caribbean — but over the past decade, it faded in favor of newer, buzzier locales. Then, just months after the property was acquired by luxury travel company Belmond, Hurricane Irma struck, putting a planned $121 million redesign on pause. Now the wait is over. Five new whitewashed villas, set seamlessly among the Moorish buildings arcing along Maundays Bay, bring the key count up to 66 rooms and 42 suites — with new perks like bathroom patios and Bluetooth speakers. A new spa offers treatments that draw on indigenous Taino knowledge, and the beloved Pimms restaurant has been given a seafood-focused spin and a chef’s table presided over by Londoner Andy Gaskin. Plus, the easygoing resort has put locks on its doors for the first time — an upgrade that has some regulars grumbling. That is, until they hit the beach and realize that the Cap they know and love is alive and well. Doubles from $725. — Hannah Walhout

18
of
75

Rosewood Baha Mar — Nassau, Bahamas

Courtesy of Rosewood

With draws that include Bahamian-focused art exhibits and an exclusive private island available for rent just off beautiful Cable Beach, Baha Mar — the multibillion-dollar casino resort complex — has been breathing new energy into Nassau since it debuted two years ago. And now, the Rosewood Baha Mar is officially open, giving travelers yet another reason to visit. The Rosewood, which has a network of tranquil, cascading pools and spacious rooms staffed with personal butlers, feels like a world unto itself. The resort is polished and of-the-moment — note the 3,000 square feet of stunning murals by the New York company Silver Hill Atelier, which depict Bahamian island scenes in soothing tones of green, gray, and white. But it’s also relaxed in all the right ways: The people are warm. There are help-yourself cookie jars in the library. And “sky juice,” a popular roadside drink of fresh coconut, condensed milk, and gin that most hotels don’t serve, has found its way onto the bar menu here, a subtle but very smart touch. Doubles from $645. — Jacqueline Gifford

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

19
of
75

Silversands — Grand Anse Beach, Grenada

Courtesy of Silversands Grenada

Silversands, a just-opened resort on the northern end of Grand Anse Beach, is a game changer for the beautiful, unspoiled island of Grenada. Split across two clean-lined, contemporary buildings clad in South American bulletwood, the 43 guest rooms and suites — plus nine residential villas — have private balconies with ocean views and a light palette of blond oak and Italian Calacatta marble. Locals are already flocking to eat at Silversands’ two restaurants: Asiatique, a formal dinner-only venue, and the Grenadian Grill, which serves up a casual beach-club vibe, lobster rolls and catch-of-the-day ceviche, and evening DJ sets. Guests have access to a watersports center — equipped with stand-up paddleboards and kayaks with clear bottoms so you can spot starfish while gliding past — as well as a spa stocked with Espa products and Puro, a dedicated cigar-and-rum bar that serves up sunset tastings of the local spirit. Doubles from $850. — Emma Love

20
of
75

Skylark Negril Beach Resort — Jamaica

Courtesy of Skylark Negril

There aren’t many Caribbean hotels that can truly be described as cool. But Skylark Negril, the latest project from the people behind the nearby Rockhouse Hotel and Miss Lily’s in New York City, earns that epithet with enviable ease. From the saucy 1980s Visit Jamaica posters in the lobby to the giant sound-system in the bar, the property feels like a celebration of Jamaican style, in all its brash, colorful, reggae-inflected glory. It also sits on one of the best stretches of shoreline in the entire Caribbean: Negril’s spectacular Seven Mile Beach, which, due to its location a couple of hours’ drive from the international airport, remains blessedly free of large-scale development. The restaurant, a beachside outpost of Miss Lily’s, does Jamaican food fantastically well — so good were the Jerk BBQ Pork Spare Ribs, in fact, I ordered them two nights in a row. Guest-rooms are light and spacious, with garden-facing balconies; there’s also a delightful spa with an impressive list of treatments, many of which can be taken on the beach. With all this, plus a swimming pool in the works, Skylark may well be needing the additional floor of guest rooms being planned for later in 2019. Doubles from $175. — Flora Stubbs

21
of
75

O:LV Fifty Five — San Juan, Puerto Rico

Courtesy of O:LV Fifty Five

Plush velvet furniture. Floor-to-ceiling marble. Chandeliers that literally drip in gold. This isn’t Vegas’ latest luxury hotel — it’s O:LV Fifty Five, the splashiest new build San Juan has ever seen (and not just because of the ’77 Rolls Royce parked on the rooftop). Located in the city’s upscale Condado district, just steps from its Mediterranean-inspired sister property, O:live, this maximalist newcomer doesn’t so much break the rules as rewrite them. The bi-level rooftop infinity pool, for instance, was hand carved out of marble and features tiered seating that allows guests to fully recline while taking in the Condado Lagoon. Active types can rent water sports equipment for paddleboarding or kayaking, while foodies will want to secure reservations at Raya, where celebrated Puerto Rican chef Mario Pagan whips up Asian fusion dishes that spotlight local ingredients like guava and heart of palm. Don’t miss sunset drinks on the rooftop; shortly after nightfall, a DJ will climb into the back of the retrofitted Rolls Royce — whose trunk serves as a champagne bar and DJ booth — and start spinning her first set. Doubles from $429. — Siobhan Reid

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

22
of
75

University Arms Hotel — Cambridge, England

Courtesy of University Arms

Cambridge, England, may be steeped in history, but its streets have a lively, youthful energy, and the city finally has a hotel to match. The newly refurbished University Arms Hotelstraddles past and present. Founded in 1834 as a 15-room coaching inn, it was expanded in a gallimaufry of styles. A two-year overhaul has reimposed order, creating a 192-room entity with a graceful porte cochère entrance by architect John Simpson. Inside, designer Martin Brudnizki plays with the history and iconography of Cambridge and England (i.e. carpets with patterns that mirror the school necktie, prints of churches and bicycles). The suites, painted in soothing English country house blues and greens, are named after famous Cambridge graduates: Byron, Tennyson, Newton, Darwin. At Parker’s Tavern, the hotel restaurant, chef Tristan Welch, a Cambridge native who spent time cooking in the Caribbean, puts a global spin on traditional English dishes. Try the rich risotto with Somerset truffles and salty-sweet Berkswell cheese, and the Duke of Cambridge tart, a slab of custard with marmalade and candied citrus peel. Doubles from $265. — Peter Terzian

23
of
75

Heckfield Place — Hampshire, England

Tom Mannion

Sitting on 400 acres of prime Hampshire countryside, Heckfield Place was built as a private house in 1760, and for most of the 19th century was home to the illustrious Lefevre family. Sixteen years ago, it was purchased by the Hong Kong-born, Boston-based financier Gerald Chan, who commissioned a painstaking renovation. The building’s original Georgian features, from the floor-to-ceiling patio doors to the ornate ceiling roses, were all carefully restored. But the decor is nonetheless defined by its simplicity and understatement, giving the hotel a distinctly contemporary feel. In the snug Moon Bar, a vast disco bar twinkles above midnight-blue walls, and a fire sizzles and smokes all day long, whereas the plush theater has a rolling program of talks, films, and events. The gardens were designed by a visionary named William Wildsmith, who created the estate’s impressive arboretum and two vast ornamental lakes, one of which now has a floating dock guests can use to go wild swimming. The hotel has harnessed his spirit in its skin-care products, Wildsmith, which are made with botanicals grown on the grounds. Doubles from $447. — Rebecca Rose

24
of
75

Kettner's Townhouse — London

Courtesy of Kettner's Townhouse

Kettner’s restaurant is somewhat of a Soho institution. It was here that Edward VII (allegedly) entertained his socialite mistress Lily Langtry (she accessed his parlor via a secret underground passage) and where the post-theater crowd have long descended for late night coupes, rowdy songs, and croque-monsieurs. Soho House acquired the iconic property in 2016, reopening it last year as Kettner’s Townhouse: a hotel, restaurant, and bar, with its original sense of whimsy intact. The upstairs floors, where the infamous private dining rooms once stood, are now home to 33 guestrooms. William Morris wallpaper is the backdrop for cozy touches such as Matilda Goad scalloped lampshades, rosewood wardrobes, green velvet headboards, and Art Deco reading lamps. Bathrooms — with rainforest showers and freestanding claw-foot tubs — come thoughtfully stocked with essentials like tampons, lip balm, and deodorant, while the minibar provides British bottles like Bruichladdich whisky and Cotswolds Gin. Downstairs, the Georgian splendor of the Grade II listed building is brought to life; many of the 18th-century details, like floral moldings and original chandeliers, are still present. In the dining room, elegant as ever, red leather banquettes lend a hint of fin de siècle bistro flair — but the decidedly British fare, with entrées like roast Banham chicken and black truffle, provides sturdy comfort. Around the corner, you’ll find the Champagne Bar — a favorite of Winston Churchill, Agatha Christie, and Oscar Wilde — with a 1920s-era mosaic floor and a handsome marble-topped walnut counter. Come midnight, the piano begins to tinkle, and an ebullient crowd belts out familiar show tunes. Doubles from $250. — Jemima Sissons

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

25
of
75

L’oscar — London

Courtesy L’Oscar London

The general manager, Michael Voigt, puts it best: “If you don’t like purple and peacock feathers, you better check out right away.” He’s only half joking. At L’oscar, a former Baptist church in central London, the effect is that of a posh country manor reimagined by Merchant Ivory by way of Stanley Kubrick. A butler is assigned to each guest; waiters effortlessly remember orders from the day before. The 118-year-old building’s listed status means that original details like checkered marble floors and mahogany banisters remain — and the former chapel still soars toward the heavens at chef Tony Fleming’s impossibly sexy restaurant, the Baptist, where the bar serves “biblical” cocktails with names like Chastity, Pride, and Gluttony. The 39 rooms — designed by Jacques Garcia — have stone fireplaces, hand-embroidered headboards, and baby-eiderdown duvets. During renovation, Voigt stayed at least one night in each of them — ensuring that, regardless of your feelings about purple and peacock feathers, this is a hotel you won’t want to check out of. Doubles from $576. — Rebecca Ascher-Walsh

26
of
75

L'Arlatan — Arles, France

Hervé Hôte/Courtesy of L'Arlatan

The Provençal city of Arles has long been a cradle for art and culture. Post-Impressionists Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin found inspiration in its landscapes, and for nearly fifty years, the city has hosted the annual Rencontres d’Arles photography festival. Now, with the opening of 15th century palace turned hotel L’Arlatan, visitors will have a fittingly artful place to stay. The intimate retreat is the vision of Cuban-born artist Jorge Pardo and the billionaire swiss art collector Maja Hoffman, whose $175 million Luma Arles arts center will be completed in 2020. The 34 guest rooms are a riot of psychedelic shapes and colors: more than a million handmade ceramic tiles in 18 vibrant clashing hues, covering entire floors and parts of the walls; dozens of bulbous laser-cut plastic lanterns that resemble jellyfish and corals; and hand painted doors whose imagery is evocative of van Gogh’s Japonisme-inflected works. Go for a dip in the outdoor pool, stroll the landscaped gardens, or grab a bite in the lively restaurant, which is overseen by Michelin-starred chef Armand Arnal. Doubles from $112. — Gisela Williams

27
of
75

Château Lafaurie Peyraguey — Bommes, France

Agi Simoes & Reto Guntli/Courtesy of Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey

It pays to notice the details at Château Lafaurie Peyraguey. The chandeliers, sconces, door handles, decanters, and carafes are more exquisite than those typically found at other five-star hotels. No surprise, really, given that this working Bordeaux wine estate is owned by the 131-year-old French luxury glass and crystal maker Maison Lalique. Four years of restorations went into the 18th-century compound, whose glamorous interiors (glass-inlaid oak desks, glittering chandeliers, and Deco-inspired furnishings) bring a touch of urbane luxury to the pastoral region. Just last month, the hotel’s glass-walled restaurant, helmed by Alsatian chef Jérôme Schilling, was awarded a Michelin star — the first for the winemaking appellation of Sauternes. Diners can sip the chateau’s own highly regarded Sauternes from ribbed Lalique stemware, or choose from the 2,500+ vintages on offer. Doubles from $194. — Darrell Hartman

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

28
of
75

Le Barn — Bonnelles, France

Courtesy of Le Barn

The French countryside is teeming with chateaux hotels, but once you’re on site, available diversions often end at Instagrammable gardens. Le Barn, an easy half-hour by train from Paris in the forest of Rambouillet, forgoes the airs of Lord and Lady So-and-So and invites you play in the stables. A combination of utilitarian new builds and a renovated mill, it’s in the spirit of Soho Farmhouse, and a first for France. Activities here are rustic, befitting the 71 rooms and suites’ Scandinavian design. Equestrianism is first among them, as Le Barn lodges a neighboring horse school. You can also fish a wee pond, whack around a shuttlecock or ping pong ball, learn to mix a cocktail, stretch out for an ayurvedic massage or with an instructor from Paris’s renowned Tigre yoga studio, warm up in the sauna or outdoor Nordic Bath, or flop down in front of a movie in the projection room. An on-site restaurant nails comfort classics made with high-quality ingredients: potato and cottage cheese fritters, poule au pot, grilled squid and chorizo, a gorgeous steak frites. Parisian families desperate for fresh air have already adopted it as a country home away from home, made easier by the stacks of wellington boots loaned out upon check-in and a massive “cloakroom” where guests can leave their golf clubs, bikes or luggage behind in between visits. Doubles from $184. — Alexandra Marshall

29
of
75

Brach — Paris

Yann Audic/Courtesy of Brach

A far cry from Paris’s grand palace hotels, this Philippe Starck-designed hideaway oozes sex appeal. Tucked away in the city’s untrodden 16th arrondissement, a short distance from the Eiffel Tower, Brach sets the mood with glossy wood paneling, sleek mirrored surfaces, and 52 rooms and suites filled with tribal artwork, French novels (“La Femme à la Fenêtre”), and artful flower arrangements. Flip on the “light switch” opposite the bathroom to toggle between curated playlists featuring sultry Flamenco beats and Brazilian samba. Tear yourself away for Mediterranean-inspired small plates and a glass of Syrah at the bustling ground-floor restaurant, where an open kitchen and communal seating encourage guests to practice their French with the (mostly local) clientele. As a Starck production, Brach is full of unexpected surprises, from the custom scents in each of the public spaces to the 72-foot subterranean swimming pool, fitted with over-water trapeze bars and gymnastic rings for aqua aerobics and amateur acrobat sessions. Doubles from $493. — Siobhan Reid

30
of
75

Lutetia — Paris

François Coquerel

Lutetia, a Left Bank institution — opened by the Boucicaut family in 1910, across the street from their department store Le Bon Marché — has been restored to its former glory after a four-year closure and a $230 million revamp. The result is the epitome of understated luxury, with original stained-glass windows and Art Deco chandeliers tempered by sleek mirrored surfaces and custom-built furniture in dark blues and caramel. A new interior courtyard suffuses the common areas with light, while the all-marble subterranean spa — home to a hammam, a sauna, and a 55-foot indoor pool — is an oasis of calm in the busy St.-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood. Bar Joséphine, named for Josephine Baker, a frequent guest of the hotel, is the pièce de résistance: the frescoed Romanesque ceiling took a painstaking 17,000 hours to restore.Doubles from $836. — Siobhan Reid

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

31
of
75

Hotel St. George — Helsinki, Finland

Courtesy of Design Hotels

Hotel St. George is a breath of fresh air in a city dominated by clean-lined Scandinavian-style architecture. Housed in a Neo-Renaissance building in Helsinki’s flourishing Design District, this trailblazing newcomer is the vision of Finnish National Theatre architect Onni Tarjanne, whose sensible modernization brought the 19th-century property back to life. Inside, trendy touches like lantern-style fixtures, leafy fig trees, and geometric-inspired nightstands pop against the hotel’s lovely bones, while the 300-piece contemporary art collection — curated by the Helsinki Art Museum and the National Gallery — give guests reason to linger. Standout works include Ai Weiwei’s Tianwu, a bamboo and silk dragon that hangs in the lobby, and Finnish artist Pekka Jylhä’s twenty-foot-long brass bird sculpture. The 153 rooms are done up in soft pearl and grey tones and come stocked with second-hand novels and poetry collections that nod to the building’s past as a printing house and gathering place for the Finnish Literature Society. Set aside time for a treatment in the property’s holistic spa, where two saunas and a cold plunge pool serve as the perfect antidote to jet lag, and the Wintergarden cocktail bar, an airy glass-roofed courtyard where Helsinki’s creative set mingles late into the evening. Doubles from $270. — Chelsea Bengier

32
of
75

Stamba Hotel — Tbilisi, Georgia

Courtesy of Design Hotels

Adjara Group, the hospitality team behind the hugely successful Rooms hotel and Fabrika hostel, are single handedly making Tblisi, Georgia, one of the coolest cities on the globe. This past spring they opened the Stamba, their most glamorous property to date. Located in a former printing house, at its industrial Brutalist center is an ambitious weeping fig tree that grows up through two of its five floors. Guests can view its branches as they swim in the glass-bottomed rooftop pool. The rich, eclectic interiors were envisioned by the Adjara team; the public spaces, with low velvet couches and works from the owners’ private art collection, are generous and always filled with stylish locals. Vintage tiles, green-leather banquettes, and potted plants give the restaurant the feel of a lush courtyard in Cuba, and its open kitchen sends out addictive comfort food, both local (order a khachapuri) and international. The Art Deco-meets-industrial glamour of the public spaces continues in the spacious guest rooms, each with a unique design but many with deep brass soaking tubs, Soviet-era pendant chandeliers, oversized windows, and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. Doubles from $240. — Gisela Williams

33
of
75

Katikies Mykonos — Greece

Christos Drazos/Courtesy of Katikies Mykonos

Mykonos can feel like one big 24-hour thumping beach club, so it’s a relief to find a peaceful (and stylish) redoubt like Katikies. At this whitewashed retreat, perched above Agio Ioannis beach, each of the 32 rooms feature private plunge pools and unimpeded sea views. If you venture out of your room, you can relax at one of the two infinity pools or sundecks. (Pro tip: Opt for the pool at the top of the hotel which was blissfully empty our entire stay but still staffed for any cocktails and snack requests). And while the resort has spa, gym, open air restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine, and, yes, even a Champagne bar (this is the original island of bottles and models, after all), there’s something very low-key and intimate about the setting. The only time you’ll ever see a crowd is at the omelet bar at the breakfast buffet. Doubles from $578. — Maura Egan

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

34
of
75

Istoria — Santorini, Greece

Courtesy of Design Hotels

Far from the crowded corridors of major Santorini villages like Fira or Oia, Istoria sits above Perivolos Beach, one of the island’s most serene stretches of volcanic black-sand coastline. The third Santorini property from husband-and-wife hoteliers Antonis Eliopoulos and Kalia Konstantinidou, this 12-suite retreat had a former life as a three-story Cycladic mansion — the domain of an eccentric Greek socialite with a passion for horses. Elements of the original estate can still be found throughout; the ground-floor stables have been converted into guest rooms, each with its own private patio and plunge pool or hot tub, and the interiors have been modernized with bespoke furniture, mosaic floors of locally made tile, handcrafted textiles, and Aegean accents. The massive pool (which the resort claims is the largest at any on the island) and tranquil spa make it all too tempting to hunker down at the hotel — but one alfresco meal at the property’s patio restaurant, or a short walk down to the private loungers on the secluded onyx beach, will remind you of the striking natural beauty at your doorstep. Doubles from $448. — Jessica Klingelfuss

35
of
75

Retreat at Blue Lagoon — Iceland

Courtesy of Blue Lagoon Iceland

Otherworldly barely begins to describe the setting of the Retreat at the Blue Lagoon, a luxurious new hotel located on one of Iceland’s most popular tourist attractions. The sleek, clean-lined building rises above moss-covered lava fields and surreal milky blue water. By the check-in desk, a window perfectly frames dramatic clouds that rise from the ground, while outside, guests wade in a private section of the geothermal lagoon. Floor-to-ceiling windows and a neutral color scheme in the 62 suites emphasize the views outside, while an elaborate tasting menu at the fine dining restaurant Moss showcases Icelandic cuisine. But the real reason to go is for the 4,305 square-foot spa, where guests nourish mind and body with a series of scrubs made with exfoliating silica, collagen-rich algae, and minerals. It might be the only place the world where you can get a massage while floating in geothermal waters. Doubles from $1,440. — Laura Itzkowitz

36
of
75

Ottantotto Firenze — Florence

Courtesy of Ottantotto Firenze

The latest in a line of boutique hotels to open in the Tuscan capital, the Ottantotto Firenze is a seven-room stunner in the Oltrarno, the traditional neighborhood of craftsmen and artisans, and the city’s hipster hangout du jour. During the Renaissance, this stately palazzino functioned as a mill and bakery with upper-floor living quarters for the baker’s family, and later expanded into an aristocratic residence with a leafy courtyard garden. Architect Fabrizia Scassellati renovated with care, sourcing fabrics and furnishings from local artisans, and preserving original details that lend the rooms a sense of place. Modern additions – a pint-sized elevator, automated check-in system, colorful tiled baths – are balanced by original wood-beam ceilings, terracotta floors and a central staircase of pietra serena, a Tuscan sandstone typical of Renaissance-era Florentine palazzi. Rooms are filled with books and antique furniture, fires crackle in the 16th-century fireplaces, the long-abandoned garden blooms with hydrangea, and every nook has a story to tell. All you have to do is listen.Doubles from $160. — Ingrid K. Williams

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

37
of
75

Palazzo Bozzi Corso — Lecce, Italy

Courtesy of Palazzo Bozzi Corso by La Fiermontina

Behind a pair of oversized doors on an unassuming, residential street, a Baroque palace has been transformed into Palazzo Bozzi Corso, Puglia’s newest luxury address. Built in 1775 by Gabriele Bozzi Corso and passed between aristocratic families over the centuries, the hotel is the latest from brother-and-sister hoteliers Antonia and Enzo Fiermonte. It’s more intimate than their first project, La Fiermontina, a Tuscan-farmhouse-like urban resort that’s already a Lecce favorite. The Palazzo’s 10 suites are filled with modern furniture and amenities — including hydromassage showers and saunas — but the building’s ornate details are a throwback to old-time Italian glamour, from the elaborate floral molding to the parquet floors and marble fireplaces in the grand “Aristocratic Suite” apartments. The marble and ironwork staircases transport guests to another time — and to the stylish bar, where they can grab a cocktail and enjoy aperitivo hour in the courtyard. La Fiermontina’s serene pool, surrounded by olive trees, is open to Bozzi Corso guests, as is a secret art gallery nearby that houses the work of the owners’ talented and intriguing grandparents. Their grandmother (whose brother was boxer-turned-Hollywood star Enzo Fiermonte, a.k.a. William Bird) was a painter, model, and muse to various 20th-century French sculptors, including their grandfather, René Letourneur. These ancestors are the reason La Fiermontina and Palazzo Bozzi Corso exist today; their rollicking life story inspired the French-born siblings’ pilgrimage back to Lecce. Doubles from $455. — Nina Ruggiero

38
of
75

Vista Palazzo — Lake Como, Italy

Courtesy of Vista Palazzo

Lake Como has no shortage of world-class hotels — but strangely, until recently, none were located in Como itself, an ancient walled city built by Julius Caesar. That changed last year with the opening of Vista Palazzo Lago di Como, a renovated Venetian-style palace on the Piazza Cavour, facing the city’s yacht-filled waterfront. The four-story, pink stucco property, which formerly housed a bank and offices for architects and dentists (imagine climbing a spiral staircase made of marble for a teeth cleaning!) was converted into a regal 18-room hotel by the Passera family, who have been in the hospitality industry around Lake Como for nearly a century. As its name implies, the Vista Palazzo has sweeping views over what may be the world’s most beautiful (or, if nothing else, most celebrity-studded) lake. Drink in the vista, then head downstairs — past the formidable gaze of several stone lions — and wander through the alleyways and cobblestone streets of one of Lombardy’s most alluring cities. Doubles from $495. — Ben Ryder-Howe

39
of
75

Hotel Vilòn — Rome

Courtesy of Hotel Vilòn

Even in Rome, where the past is ever-present, it’s not every day that you can bed down in the annex of a 16th-century palazzo. Once home to a prince of the powerful Borghese family, the Hotel Vilòn is centrally located near the Spanish Steps with a discreet entrance on a cobblestone street. Step inside and you’ll find a design showstopper created by a dream team of collaborators: Noted Milanese designer Giampiero Panepinto outfitted the public spaces with jewel tones and plush velvet, set designer Paolo Bonfini imbued the 18 rooms and suites with cinematic flair, and Florentine photographer Massimo Listri curated the art, which includes his own striking photographs, oversize botanical prints, and artifacts sourced around the world. Their vision comes together seamlessly, making you feel like you’re staying in the stylish home of aristocratic friends — who happen to serve a fabulous breakfast. Doubles from $665. — Laura Itzkowitz

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

40
of
75

Raffles Europejski Warsaw — Poland

Courtesy of Raffles Europejski Warsaw

After closing for extensive renovations in 2013, Warsaw’s historic Hotel Europejski opened its doors last May under luxury hotel brand Raffles. The five-year redesign has given the new Raffles Europejski Warsaw a sleek, modern look while finding subtle ways to honor its roots: Slovak designer Boris Kudlička salvaged objects and art pieces, like the massive mid-century mosaic that now decorates the spa, from the original lobby, and the Lourse Warszawa patisserie (a staple of the original Europejski) now offers up modern versions of its old recipes. When it opened in 1857, the hotel quickly gained a reputation as an oasis for artists and creative types — and Raffles honors this tradition with nearly 500 works from 120 Polish artists, making the new Europejski a destination in itself. It’s worth a stop for any visitor touring the castles, palaces, and gardens on the city’s famous Royal Route. Head to Europejski Grill, where executive chef Beñat Alonso’s Polish-inflected menu includes Warsaw-inspired dishes like beetroot tartare, poppy seed cake, and a delicious smoked halibut omelet, or visit the Long Bar for a Warsaw Sling — their take on Raffles’ signature cocktail, flavored with gingerbread and quince. Doubles from $288. — Elizabeth Preske

41
of
75

Quinta da Côrte — Douro Valley, Portugal

Jean-Francois Jaussaud/Courtesy of Quinta da Côrte

This whitewashed winery and guesthouse, overlooking the terraced slopes of Portugal’s most picturesque wine region, is all about analog luxuries: reading antique books in the library; dining at communal tables; disconnecting from screens. The interiors have a spontaneous feel that belies the exacting eye of designer Pierre Yovanovitch, who oversaw every detail of the Quinta da Côrte estate and its nine suites, from the custom ceramic tables and handblown chandeliers to the rotary phones on the nightstands. The wine is just as fastidiously produced: the vineyards are tilled by horses, and port is made only when conditions are ideal. Doubles from $195. — G.W.

42
of
75

Fife Arms — Braemar, Scotland

Tom Mannion

When art dealer Iwan and Manuela Wirth took over the Fife Arms about four years ago, the Scottish hotel had a storied past — but its future was looking a little grim. Built in the village of Braemar in the 1850s to capitalize on the newfound popularity of the Highlands as a tourist destination (thanks to Queen Victoria, an influencer if ever there was one), this formerly grand property had not aged well (think: awkwardly carved-up public spaces and a leaky roof). However, in the hands of the Wirths, the Fife Arms has become a place you may never want to leave. In a renovation that took two years, the powerhouse art couple — cofounders of the Hauser & Wirth galleries — not only restored but significantly added to the hotel’s original splendor. Where once there were some 90 guestrooms, the Fife now has just 46, ranging from stately suites named after Braemar’s noble visitors (I was in the Duke of Fife) to jewel-box-like rooms inspired by Scottish crofter’s huts. The now-generous public spaces are peppered with the works of international artists (the walls of the Clunie dining room were hand-painted by Argentina’s Guillermo Kuitca; a Louise Bourgeois spider has taken up residence in the courtyard; and Picasso’s Mousquetaire Assispresides over the drawing room). In lieu of a concierge, a gamekeeper and a gillie, or hunting attendant, are at your service. Doubles from $316. — Alix Browne

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

43
of
75

Hotel Mamá — Mallorca, Spain

Nicholas Matheus/Courtesy of Hotel Mamá

The first hotel from Grupo Cappuccino, the restaurant group known for its stylish cafes throughout Spain and the Middle East, Hotel Mamá manages to hit the hospitality sweet spot at the intersection of chic and homey. As you might expect, the food and beverage offerings are world-class: in front, the Parisian-style Grand Café is already the best people-watching spot in Palma’s historic center, overlooking the grand town hall and iconic ancient olive tree of Plaça De Cort. At Tahini, the on-site restaurant specializing in Japanese haute cuisine, the artfully prepared sushi is best enjoyed in the palm-strewn interior courtyard. Inside, designer Jacques Grange’s eye for detail leaves a lasting impression — from the luchador masks behind the front desk, to the colorful tilework, hand-painted ceilings, and bespoke floral-patterned furniture in all 40 rooms and suites. His quirky approach marks a new era in Mallorca’s hotel scene, but Grange’s use of a classically Palma color palette makes it a perfect fit for the neighborhood; looking out from your balcony, it feels as though the surrounding 19th-century buildings have all been painted to match Mamá (and not the other way around). The views over old town from the rooftop splash pool, the cozy, cave-like spa, and the in-house cinema — where guests choose the film — make this the type of place you want to spend time in, packed itineraries aside. Doubles from $206. — Nina Ruggiero